George E. Richards

George E. Richards (age 89) beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, great-great grandfather, and good friend passed on up to heaven on March 30, 2011. His beloved wife, Jo, had been waiting for him since 1998. George was born in Post Falls, Idaho to John and Pearl Richards on May 20, 1921. The family later moved to Spokane and settled. George attended Rogers High School and graduated in 1940. He met Jo Sicilia when he was her family’s paperboy. Upon their graduation from Rogers, George and Jo became engaged. They were together since they first met and never looked back. They married in 1942, on George’s birthday. George worked for the Spokane Fire Department from February 1947 through June of 1953. He rode an engine in Station #12. George served his country during WWII in the US Army as a paratrooper. During his European travels, as he landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, he broke his leg. After returning from the service, George became a civilian government fireman at Deep Creek, Fairchild Air Force Base until his retirement. He was an active member of the VFW and volunteered for many projects. George and Jo took many trips but the most fun for them were their spur of the moment trips to Nevada. George leaves behind daughter, Susan Richards Cannata and son-in-law, George; grandsons, Tony and wife Kathie, Christopher, Jeff and Craig; great grandchildren, Cassandra, Katie, Samantha, Ali, Allison, Anna, Matthew and Maddox; great-great granddaughter, KaitLynn; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. A special thanks to those at Sacred Heart Medical Center 6 North and the staff on the medical floor at Holy Family Hospital. Only with dignity, respect, and thoughtfulness did all those wonderful people care for George in this his final journey to his wife and Heaven. We will miss you Dad. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 6 and Thursday, April 7 from 9:00AM – 8:00PM at Riplinger Funeral Home 4305 N. Division Spokane, WA. Vigil service will begin at 7:00PM on Friday, April 8 at Riplinger Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00AM on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church 330 E. Boone, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George’s name to S.C.R.A.P.S. 2521 N. Flora Rd. Spokane Valley, WA 99216 or to the Spokane Humane Society 6607 N. Havana St. Spokane, WA 99217.